Apgar Score:

The Apgar score is a test used to measure the vital signs of a baby at birth.

Virginia Apgar, M.D. (1909-1974) introduced the Apgar score in 1952. This test is a

screening tool for health care providers to determine what assistance is immediately

necessary to help a newborn stabilize.

The Apgar score is now used worldwide to quickly assess the health of an infant one minute

and five minutes after birth. The 1-minute Apgar score measures how well the newborn

tolerated the birthing process. The 5-minute Apgar score assesses how well the newborn is

adapting to the environment.

What Will Happen?:

At one and five minutes after your baby is born, the attending health care provider will assess

five vital areas of newborn health. The Apgar score uses measures of 0, 1, or 2 for each

category, with the best possible total score equaling 10.

1. Heart Rate:

a. Absent heartbeat = 0.

b. Slow heartbeat (less than 100 beats per minute) = 1.

c. Adequate heartbeat (more than 100 beats per minute) = 2.

2. Respiration:

a. Not breathing = 0.

b. Weak cry, irregular breathing = 1.

c. Strong cry = 2.

3. Muscle Tone:

a. Limp, flaccid = 0.

b. Some flexing or bending = 1.

c. Active motion = 2.

4. Response to Stimulation (also called Reflex Irritability):

a. No response = 0.

b. Grimace = 1.

c. Vigorous cry or withdrawal = 2.

5. Color:

a. Pale or blue = 0.

b. Normal color body but blue extremities = 1.

c. Normal color = 2.

Results:

A score of seven to 10 is normal and indicates your newborn is in good condition. A score of

10 is very unusual. Almost all newborns lose one point for blue hands and feet.

Any score less than seven indicates your baby needs assistance making the transition to life

outside the womb. Health-care personnel should take appropriate action, for example, helping

the infant breathe. The Apgar score may be repeated at 10 minutes and later to assess the

effectiveness of the intervention or treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: Does the Apgar score predict the future health of my baby?

A: In general the Apgar score alone does not predict the future health of the baby. A very low

5-minute Apgar score has been associated with a slight increased risk for cerebral palsy in

full-term infants, but the vast majority of infants with low 5-minute Apgar scores do not

develop CP.

Q: Does my child's Apgar score predict how smart he will be?

A: Apgar scores assess the health and well-being of an infant at birth. They do not predict a

child's ability to perform well academically.

Q: I've seen APGAR written in all-caps. Isn't it an acronym?

A: The Apgar score was originally named after its creator, Virginia Apgar, M.D. After the

Apgar score became standard, the categories were renamed to form the acronym APGAR:

Appearance (Color)

Pulse (Heart Rate)

Grimace (Response to Stimulation)

Activity (Muscle Tone)

Respiration (Respiration)

Reviewed last on: 10/22/2008

Peter J. Chen, MD, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Hospital of the

University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed

Healthcare Network.

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Source: Labor and delivery - Apgar Score

http://www.umm.edu/pregnancy/000129.htm#ixzz2TLRjCR1c

University of Maryland Medical Center

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